Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery | 甘丹寺

Ganden monastery 甘丹寺 is about 57 km East of Lhasa along the road that follows the south bank of the Kyi Chu river. The road turn-off is road marker “4591 km”. A small village is at the road junction, where turning right onto the mountain for approximately 15-17 km winding up road, the monastery is near the top of Wangbu Ri on the mountain ridge of Gokpo Ri .

Altitude

4570 meters above sea level

Style

Tibetan ReligionGelug Pa sect

The altitude of Ganden monastery is 4,750 meters. It is one of the ‘Great Three’ Gelug pa monasteries in the central Tibet. It denotes the Paradise of Tushita and the abode of Jampa, which is the future Buddha.
Ganden is the foremost monastery of the Gelug pa, and also the most devastated among the Six Great Gelug pa Monasteries. There were about more than 2,000 monks living in here, and now there are about 200-300 monks.
Ganden Monastery was founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa – the founder of the Gelug pa. After Tsongkhapa died there in 1419. His preserved body was entombed at Ganden by his disciples in a silver and gold encrusted tomb.
The Ganden’s full name is Ganden Namgyeling Monastery which is translated as, “Continent of Completely Victorious Happiness.” It was traditionally considered the seat of Gelug pa administrative and political power. Ganden contained more than 18 major chapels, each is with large Buddha statues. Among of which, the four main chapels are

Serdung Lhakhang, the chapel contains The Gold Tomb of Tsongkhapa

Ser Tri Khang, the chapel of Tsongkhapa’s Gold Throne. It also contains one Kagyu Library

Ngam Cho Khang, the chapel where Tsongkhapa taught

Amdo Khangtsen, the chapel used by monks coming from Amdo . This chapel contains wall paintings of 35 Buddhas of confession and the 16 Arhats, and the protector of Amdo which is called “Anima Ja”